Seneca: Beware of phone scams

The Iowa Senior Medicare Patrol has reported a scam call in Burlington.

A woman received a call stating her grandson was in trouble and the caller had what was believed to be personal information about him.  The woman hung up and called the police. She received several calls, some of which were verbally threatening including that her bank accounts would be closed and that the FBI was involved. The caller then wanted her account numbers.  She again hung up.  She is changing her phone number and has informed the bank of the calls.

Joan Nydle, an information and assistance and family caregiver specialist with Seneca Area Agency on Aging, said don?t get caught in these scams.

Nydle said anyone who receives a similar call should hang up and call the police and the bank if the caller mentions bank accounts.

?It is always wise to not engage in these types of conversations,? she said. ?Even if they identify themself as from a bank, credit card, or Medicare and want to confirm your information, don?t give them information. Ask for a number and tell them that you will call them back. Then use the phone numbers you have for the bank or credit cards to call the company. Tell them about the call. It is always better to be wary of the situation then to become a victim.?

For more information, call Seneca Area Agency on Aging at 800-642-6522 or 641-682-2270. The Seneca website is www.seneca-aaa.org.